Methods, devices, and systems for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for treating a skin tissue of a patient comprising:
 a microwave energy generator, the microwave energy generator being configured to deliver microwave energy at a frequency of about 5.8 GHz; 
 an array of waveguide antennas configured for placement proximate to the skin tissue, the array of waveguide antennas being configured for simultaneous or sequential treatment of multiple sections of skin tissue and being configured to radiate electromagnetic radiation in the lowest-order Transverse Electric modes; 
 a cooling plate configured for placement in contact with the skin tissue; 
 a cooling fluid circuit at least partially superimposed on the cooling plate and configured to retain a liquid coolant between the cooling plate and the array of microwave antennas; 
 a suction element configured for elevating the skin tissue and placing the skin tissue in contact with the cooling plate; 
 wherein the array of microwave antennas are operatively coupled to the microwave energy generator, and wherein the array of microwave antennas are configured to deliver energy to the skin tissue sufficient to create a thermal effect in a target tissue within a skin tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling plate comprises a thermally-conductive cooling plate. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the thermally-conductive cooling plate is substantially transparent to microwave energy. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling plate is configured to cool the skin tissue and physically separate the skin tissue from the array of microwave antennas. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally-conductive cooling plate comprises a ceramic plate. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid coolant is selected from the group consisting of water, deionized water, alcohol, and oil. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suction element comprises a suction chamber configured for elevating target tissue comprising a portion of the skin tissue from underlying tissue. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor comprising a thermocouple configured for monitoring the temperature of the skin tissue.